Wendy’s Restaurant Lettuce Linked to More E. Coli Outbreaks

FRIDAY, September 2, 2022 (HealthDay News). 97 people have been ill in six states by E.coli. The outbreak is possibly linked to the contaminated lettuce in Wendy’s sandwiches.

In a new statement, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 13 additional illnesses had been reported to CDC since the August 25th update. Kentucky and New York, with one case each, have been added to the state list. This includes Ohio (24), Indiana (11) & Pennsylvania (2).

Many people have suffered severe illnesses from gastrointestinal bacterium infection.

“Out of the 81 people with information, 43 have been admitted and 10 have hemolytic uremic disorder, a serious condition which can lead to fatalities. kidneyFailure,” the CDC stated, though “no deaths” have been reported.

Although the exact source of this outbreak is still unknown, the CDC reported that 81% of those questioned by investigators about their diets in the week before becoming ill had eaten at Wendy’s.

“Of 54 people with detailed information about what they ate at Wendy’s, 37 [69%]Reporters reported eating romaine lettuce in burgers and sandwiches,” the agency stated.

Wendy’s announced, on August 19, that it had removed the romaine lettuce from all its sandwiches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

“Wendy’s is taking the precautionary measure of removing the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in that region,” the CDC said at the time. “Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was served or sold at other businesses.”

Romaine lettuce sold in grocery stores does not appear to be affected, the CDC said, and people can still eat at Wendy’s and eat the romaine lettuce in the salads it sells. Wendy’s explained in a statement that the lettuce used in its salads is not the same as that used in its sandwiches.

The company stated that it was fully cooperating with the public health authorities in their ongoing investigation into the E.coli outbreak in some midwestern states. “The CDC has not confirmed a particular food to be the source of the outbreak. However, we have taken the precaution to discard and replace the sandwich lettuce in some restaurants in the region.”

According to the CDC, most people who have an E.coli infection feel sick within 3-4 days of consuming or drinking bacteria-containing food. However, illness can occur anywhere from one to 10 days after being exposed. Most illnesses last for between 5 and 7 day.

What to do:

• Be on the lookout for signs of severe E.coli. diarrhea lasting more than three days or diarrhea accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, bloody diarrhea, vomitingA lack of urination.
• These symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately.
• Keep track of the food and places you ate during the week preceding your illness and report it to your state or local health department.

For more information, click here

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about the outbreak.